Boyle opens casting call for 2012 Olympics shows

The Slumdog Millionaire director is heading up the committee to stage the shows and he's previously vowed to go "back to basics", but the events are now set to be on a huge scale.

Boyle and fellow artistic director Kim Gavin are searching for 10,000 volunteers to fill roles as dancers, actors, percussionists and general all-round performers at the two ceremonies.

Applications need to be received by 31 August (11) and Olympics chiefs have advised that participants must be available for auditions later this year (11) and, if they are chosen for a part, for rehearsals in March (12).